U.S. Delegation Does not Object to U.N. Electing Iran to Commission on Women’s Rights

The United Nations has handed Iran a four-year seat on the Commission on the Status of Women even though the stoning and lashing of women is codified in Iranian law. Recently a senior cleric, Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi, suggested that women were to blame for earthquakes and was quoted as saying, “Many women who do not dress modestly … lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which (consequently) increases earthquakes”.

It was decided that Iran would be “elected by acclamation,” meaning that no open vote by members was required or requested by member states, including the United States. In failing to even attempt to prevent such an outcome, the Obama administration demonstrated little regard for womens rights or human rights, particuarly in the Muslim world.